Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, announces the addition of six new attorneys in the firm’s Atlanta office during the first month of 2020. The firm is pleased to welcome attorneys Tyler Connor, Zain Haq, Lance Patrick, Timothy Peacock, William Richardson and Maurice “Reece” Riden II.
 
“We are excited to kick off 2020 with continued growth in our nationally recognized workers’ compensation and litigation sections with the addition of these talented attorneys,” said Terry Brantley, the firm’s managing partner. “Each of these attorneys bring a fresh perspective and have a proven track record of providing quality service for their clients. Their arrival at Swift Currie marks the continuation of our strategy to expand with attorneys capable of exceeding any litigation challenges our clients face.”
 
Tyler Connor concentrates his workers’ compensation practice on the defense of employers, staffing agencies, retail stores and restaurants, as well as trucking, construction and telecommunication companies, throughout various stages of workplace injury claims. Prior to joining Swift Currie, Connor served as the primary attorney on multiple workers’ compensation claims, taking and defending depositions, conducting mediations and compiling legal research to analyze and address clients’ needs. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.
 
Zain Haq focuses his practice on workers’ compensation defense, representing clients throughout all the phases of litigation, and brings experience assessing exposure on various claims to make sound financial recommendations to adjusters for settlement. During his internship at the DeKalb Solicitor General’s office, Haq served as the lead prosecutor for several trials. Before practicing law, he founded a start-up event promotion company that generated six figures in revenue and acquired clients across Canada in just two years. Haq earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario and law degree from Georgia State University College of Law, cum laude.
 
Timothy Peacock is a litigation defense attorney, handling primarily automobile and trucking disputes. Prior to joining the firm, Peacock worked as a senior adjuster for a national insurer full time, while attending law school part time. During his time as an adjuster, he assisted in the coordination of litigation strategy with outside counsel involving lawsuits against policy holders and participated in numerous settlement mediations with — and without — outside counsel. Peacock earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of Georgia and his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law.
 
Lance Patrick focuses his practice on litigation matters related to insurance defense, coverage and general liability. While in law school, Patrick served as a student attorney for Emory University School of Law Clinic for Veterans. Additionally, he served as a judicial clerk for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, where he researched questions of law and fact for Judge John Worcester and Judge Mary Beth Priest, and kept them informed on the status of the law as it pertained to the facts of various cases. Patrick earned his undergraduate degree from Reinhardt University and law degree from Emory University School of Law.
 
William Richardson brings over 10 years of experience in litigation of large, multi-faceted cases. He joins the firm’s coverage and commercial litigation section, representing insurance carriers in claims related to insurance coverage and automobile and trucking litigation. Over the span of his career, he has had more than 70 jury trials, nearly 100 bench trials, several dozen motion hearings and represented clients before numerous judges throughout the state of Georgia. Richardson earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.
 
Reece Riden joins the firm’s litigation practice, focusing on automobile litigation, insurance coverage and premises liability. Riden previously served as a staff attorney to Judge John G. Breakfield at the Hall County State Court, where he performed legal research, assisted with case references, hearing and trials, motions and made recommendations to the judge regarding dispositions of motions. Riden earned his undergraduate degree from Emmanuel College and his law degree from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.